Description:
The “ultimate” Coopers Rock trek is described in the
Coopers Rock SF Loop-1 hike. This is not to say there are
not other fine trails to hike in the forest. If you seek more
solitude this is the hike for you. Described here is an easy 6.8
mile loop mostly through mature hardwood forest with pretty
streams and glens of Hemlock and Rhododendron. In May keep an
eye out for clusters of
Painted
Trillium growing on the tops of moss covered boulders.

Trail Notes: There are two places to park for this
hike. We wanted to see Scott Run from the bottom up so
started at the parking area across from the McCollum
Campground entrance. All trail junctions are signed.
Only the Scott Run Trail carries painted blazes
(yellow). All trails are easy to follow.

From
the parking area proceed down the campground drive. Turn
left onto the Scott Run Trail just before the gate. The
trail is a wide haul rode surrounded by towering oak and
maple with
giant moss covered boulders cast about the forest
floor. In 0.9 miles the trail makes an abrupt 90 degree
left hand turn. To get your
first view of Scott Run follow the old haul road a
few more feet to the stream’s edge. As you continue on
the trail you will remain within earshot of the stream
and often times within eyesight. You’ll walk through
some Hemlocks and a small stand of out of place Red
Spruce. Watch for the cliff edges to the left as you
gradually ascend. In 1.8 miles the trail leaves the run
and crosses the main forest road. Pass through the day
use parking area and the kiosk on the left. Follow the
Advanced Ski Trail. The Roadside trail will quickly join
and then leave the route. Continue on the Ski Trail.
Cross Henry Clay Furnace Road in 0.3 miles and begin a
gradual descent on another old haul road. The
Intermediate Ski Trail (blazed blue) splits off to the
left shortly after crossing the road and rejoins the
trail in another0.4 miles. Cross a tributary of Clay
Run. Now you will be able to see and hear the stream
below as it flows down through Hemlocks to join another
fork. Reach the
Henry Clay Furnace in 1.3 miles from the last trail
junction. This is about as close to the halfway point as
one can get and makes for a wonderful lunch spot. You
can read about the Henry Clay furnace on the
Coopers Rock SF-1 Loop link.

Resume the
hike by taking the Clay Run trail/Road upstream. You’ll
cross both forks of Clay Run on wooden bridges before
arriving at an obvious grassy old haul road in 0.5 miles.
There is no sign here. Turn left to continue. The road
climbs gradually with hardwood forest on your left and
Hemlock forest on your right. It then passes through a sunny
area where a utility swath was recently widened to protect
the power lines from outages. It does create
a bit of a view across the valley if you take to time to
look back. This persists only for 0.5 miles as the road
leaves the power line for the deep woods. In 1.1 miles from
the last trail junction arrive at
the
forest reservoir. The scene here is particularly
attractive in the fall. Arrive back at your vehicle in 0.3
miles.